The Coalition for Cleveland's Future, the pro sin-tax group supported by the Cavaliers, Indians and Browns that was "dedicated to the upkeep" of the teams' facilities, raised $1.7M for the campaign, about $1.4M of which "came from the three teams," while two opposing groups comparatively spent only $206,000 total, according to Andrew Tobias of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. The tax "won voter approval last month by a 56-44 margin." The pro-sin tax group "raised $533,000 in cash -- $420,000 of which came from the Browns, Cavs and Indians -- between April 17 and June 3." The campaign also was the "beneficiary of $543,000 in free marketing, courtesy of the three teams." Furthermore, the teams contributed about $1.1M in "free advertising, marketing and signs, and $200,000 in loans." This while the Coalition Against Unfair Taxes, one of the two opposing groups, "received $165,000 in donations between April 23 and May 1." Other pro sin-tax donors "during the most recent reporting cycle" include Aramark, which is concessionaire for the Browns and Cavaliers; FirstEnergy, which holds naming rights to the Browns' stadium; and the local chamber of commerce -- Greater Cleveland Partnership (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 6/14).
